Lifting-buoy.



JOHN PERCIVAL BURTON, F OAKVILLE, ONTARIO, CAADA.

LIFTINGr-BUOY.

Specification of Letters Patent.

Patented Api'. 1, 1919.

Application led December 3, 1918. Serial No. 265,124.

To all whom t may concern.'

Be it known that I, JOHN PERGIVAL BUR- TON, of the town of Uakville, in the county of Halton, in the Province of Ontario, Canada, have invented certain new and useful Improvements in Lifting-Buoys, of. which the following is the specification.

My invention `relates to improvements in lifting buoys andthe object ofthe invention is to devise a lifting buoy which may be operated entirely from the interior when the buoy is submerged, dispensing with the necessity o-f employing a diver for attaching the buoy to the vessel to be raised and at the saine time providing means for increasing the buoyancy to the required extent and for steering the device in the direction required rious figures.

l indicates the outer casing of a buoy, the upper portion of which is spherical in forin, the ylower portion 1x tapering down from the spherical upper portion and terminating in a rounded portion 1. The upper portion l may be divided into two portions 12 and 13 at 11, the parts being connected together by interiorly extending annular flanges 15 and 16 bolted together, the joint being so `packed as to render the device air and water tight.

2 indicates an inner casing, the lower portions 2x and 2 of which conform to the genei'al shape of the outer casing 1, the walls of the inner casing being spaced apart vfrom the walls of the outer casing and connected thereto by a suitable bracing struct-ure 3. The upper part of the portion 2X is segmental spherical in form and of such a curve as to form a space between the upper. portions of the outer and inner oasings, having its greatest depth in the center, the space gradually tapering olf toward its outer edge. The upper part of the casing 2 may also be divided into two portions 22 and 23 connected together by the opposing flanges 21 and 25 suitably bolted together and packed to form an air tight joint. The lower end 2 of the portion 2 of the casing 2 is of segmental sphericalform, the are of which is of greater 'radius than the round lower portion 1 of the outer casing 1 thereby forming an intervening space between the lower ends of the outer and` inner casings which has a greater depth at the center than at the sides. Within this space which l designate 2G l forin a cross partition 21, the portion of the outer Casing below the partition 27 being provided with suit-able openings 2S allowing the free entrance of water thereinto, such space below the partition 27 forming a propeller chamber. The upper portions of the outer and inner casings are provided with orifices 17 and 21 connected together by the cylindrical portion 21o forming a manhole through which t-he occupants of the lifting buoy pass. The upper end of the cylinder 21 is `provided with a hinged cover 211. 212 indicates a link rod connecting the cover 211 with an operating lever 213. The lever 213 is pivotally mounted at 211 and provided at its end with a slot 215 with which the lower end of the link rod 212 engages. The free end of the lever 213 is secured in its locking position by a swinging link 21.6 which engages the free end of the lever and holds it in its locked position, that is, with the cover 211 drawn do-wn tight over the upper end of the cylindrical portion 21.

4 and 5 indicate cylinders which are secured to the outer casing 1 in proximity to the lower end of the casing 1.` The cylinders et and 5 extend parallelly at each side of the casing and are each. provided at its outer end with orifices 11X. 6 indicates a pad of resilient material, suoli as reinforced rubber provided on its inner face with a recess 6X from which extend a series of orifices 6 such orifices flaring outwardly so as to be distributed equally over the outer face of the pad 6.

'indicates a pronged member secured to the upper portion of the outer casing 1, the prongs 'of which are substantially in alineinent with the outer face of the pad 6 and are adapted to bear against the `side of the vessel to be raised above such pad. 8 indicates a flooring located within the inner casing 2 from which extends a framework, 8X, 8 and 82 being the members thereof. 9 indicates a motor, which is mounted upon an arched support 9X carried by the flooring 8. 9 indicates the motor shaft extending through the frame member 82 and provided at its outer end with a pinion 83. 10 indicates a shaft journaled in the members 8X, S and S2 extending below the motor 9. 10X indicates a bevel gear suitably splined to the shaft 10 so as to be carried into mesh with the bevel pinion 83 of the motor shaft 9. 11 indicates a vertical bearing formed in the ooring 8 beneath the motor 9. 11X indicates a bearing formed between the flooring 27 and lower' end of the inner casing 2. 12 indicates a propeller shaft journaled in the bearings 11 and 11X, on the lower end of which is mounted a propeller 12X located in the propeller chamber formed between the flooring 27 and lower end of the casing 1. The upper end of the propeller shaft 12 is provided with a bevel gear 12 having an upper' and lower beveled face. 13 indicates a shaft mounted at one end in the bearing portion 11 and at the opposite end in the frame member 82. 9S indicates a gear mounted upon the motor shaft 9. 94 indicates a gear mounted upon the shaft 10 and in mesh with the gear 93. 95 indicates a gear mounted upon the shaft 13 and in mesh with the gear 94. 13 indicates a bevel gear suitably splined to the shaft 13 and provided with an annularly grooved hub 13. 132 indicates an operating lever engaging the hub 13 and pivotally mounted at its upper end at 133.

14 indicates a bevel gear splined to the shaft 10 and provided with an annularly grooved hub 14". 14 indicates a bell crank lever pivotally mounted at 142 and engaging the hub 14x at one end. 13t indicates a link connecting the lever 132 with the upwardly extending arm of the bell crank 14. 143 indicates an operating lever, which is pivotally supported upon the lower face of the flooring 8 and connected by a link 144 to the horizontally extending arm of the bell crank lever 14.

15 indicates. a cylinder which is suitably secured tothe frame member 8X and provided at its upper end with ports 15X and 15 provided with non-return valves 152 and 153. 154 indicates a tube leading from the port 15X and extending downwardly through the walls ofthe inner and outer casing into the water. 155 indicates a tube extending down from the port 15 and provided at its lower end with branches 156 and 157 extending into the cylindrical casings 4 and 5 in proximity to the bottom thereof. 158 indicates a piston operatingV within the cylinder 15, the piston rodk of the piston 158 being connected to an eccentric 15 mounted upon the shaft 10 and by which the piston 158 is given a reciprocating movement. rlhe piston 15s is reciprocated from the motor through the motor shaft 9 bevel pinion 83, bevel gear 10X, Shaft 10 and eccentric 15 when the bevel gear 10x is thrown into engagement with the pinion 83. For this purpose the bevel gear 10* is provided Wtih an annularly grooved hub 10. 102 indicates a bell crank lever, the upwardly extending arm of which engages the grooved hub 10', the horizontally extending arm being connected by a link rod 103 to a bell crank 10'L mounted upon the flooring 16 located beneath the ooring 8. The bell crank 104 is connected by a link 105 to an operating lever 10G. When the piston 15S is reciprocated the water is drawn from the cylinders 4 and 5 through the branch pipes 15G and 157, tube 155 into the cylinder 15 and is expelled through the tube 154 through the walls of the outer casing into the body of water surrounding the lifting buoy.

The propeller 12x is employed for imparting vertical movement to the lifting buoy, such propeller being driven from the motor through the motor shaft 9', gears 93, 94 and 95, shaft 13, bevel gear 13X and lower bevel face of the bevel gear 12 which is carried by the propeller shaft 12.

When it is desired to operate the propeller shaft the lever 143 is operated, drawing the horizontal arm of the bell crank 14 down and drawing the bevel gear 14 away from engagement with the bevel gear 12 and simultaneously carrying the bevel gear 13x into engagement with the lower face of the bevel gear 12 by means of the link 134 and lever 132.

Vhenit is desired to reverse the operation the lever 143 is thrown in the opposite direction carrying the bevel gear 13X out of en-l gagement with the lower face of the bevel gear 12 and the bevel gear 14 into engagement with the upper face of the bevel gear 12, thus providing for a. vertical upward and downward movement.

ln order to drive the device horizontally l have provided the propeller 17 mounted vupon the propeller shaft 17 X journaled in a bearing 17 formed between the inner and outer casing portions 2X and 13. The opposite end of thepropeller shaft 17X is journaled in the frame member 8 and has mounted thereon a bevel gear 17 2. 17 3 indicates a supplemental shaft mounted at one end upon the frame member `8 and at the opposite end in the bearing 17 4 carried by a suitable portion of the' framework. 175 indicates a bevel gear mounted upon the shaft 173. 17G indicates a bevel gear splined to the shaft 10 and provided with an an nularly grooved hub 177. Formed integral with the gear 176 is a bevel pinion 17S having its teeth set in the reverse direction to the teeth of the gear 176. 18 indicates a lever suitably mounted and engaging at its upper end with the groove of the hub 177 and connected at its lower end by a link 17 9 to a bell crank 171 connected by a link 1711 to an 0perating lever 1712.

When it is desired to propel the device horizontally in one direction the gears are set in the position shown in the drawing, that is, with the bevel gear 175 in engagement with the bevel gear 175. The drive is then carried from the motor 9through the motor shaft to gear 93 in mesh with gear 94 mounted upon the shaft 10 and from the shaft 10 to the bevel gear 17 5, the bevel gear 17 5, shaft 172, bevel gear 170 to the gear 172 mounted upon the propeller shaft 17X.

Whenit is desired to propel theydevice in the opposite direction the operating lever 1712 is adjusted to carry the bevel pinion 178 into engagement with the bevel gear 172 simultaneously carrying the bevel gears 175 and 175 vout of engagement. The drive is then carried from the motor 9 to the shaft 10 in the same manner as above described, the drive being then carried directly from the shaft 10 by the bevel gear 178 to the bevel gpar 172. mounted upon the propellerV shaft 1 X. 1

I will now describe the means whereby an increased buoyancy is given to the device.

18 indicates a cylinder which is mounted in the inner casing above 'the motor. 18 indicates a duct leading from the cylinder through the upper wall portions of the outer and inner casings 1 and 2, such duct leading to the atmosphere above the water level. The lower end of the duct 18X is provided with a non-return valve 18. 182 indicates a duct also leading from the upper end of the cylinder 18 through the wall of the inner casing 2 so as to feed air into the space formed between the portions of the outer and inner casing. The duct 182 is also pro vided with a non-return valve 185. 182 indicates a piston operating Within the cylinder 18. 185 indicates a shaft journaled at one end in the frame portion 82 and at the opposite end in a standard 185. 181 indicates a sleeve mounted upon a shaft 185 and on which is mounted an eccentric 188 connected to the piston 181 to impart reciprocating movement thereto. The outer end of the sleeve 187 is provided with a clutch member 185. 181 indicates a slidable clutch member operated by a lever 1811 connected by a link 1812 to a bell crank 1815, the opposite arc of which is connected by a link 1811 to an operating'lever 1815. i.

In order to steer the device I provide a rudder 19 which is hingedly mounted upon a vertical shaft 19 carried by arms 19 and 192 extending from the outer casing 1 above and below the propeller 17. The lower end of the rod 19x is provided with a bevel pinion 19. 193 indicates a shaft journaled in the walls of the inner and outer casings 1 and 2. The outer end of the shaft 195 is provided with a pinion 192 in mesh with the pinion 192. The opposite end of the shaft 193 is provided with a. gear 195 meshing with the gear 196 carried by a shaft 19'I journaled at one end in the frame member 8 and at the opposite end in the bearing 11. The shaft 197 is also provided with a pulley 195. 199 indicates a shaft journaled in bearings 1910 carried by the flooring 16. One end of the shaft 199 is provided with an operating lever 1911. The opposite end is provided with a pulley 1912 connected by a belt 1913 dicates a tube also extending from the upper end of the cylinder 2O and depending down therefrom to a point in proximity to the `bottom of the interior casing.` By the reciprocation of the piston 20X air is drawn from the air supply duct 18X into the cylinder 20 and forced down through the tube 23 to the bottom of the casing.

In order to remove the foul gases from the ulpper portion of the casing a .tube 21 extends from the upper end of the cylinder 21, being open at the top and extending in proximity to the top of the interior casing 2. 25 indicates a tube also extending from the upper end of the cylinder 21 to the atmos phere above the water level. The tubes 21 and 25 are provided with non-return valves and the foul air is sucked through the tube 211 into the cylinder and then forced out through the tube 25. By this means thorough ventilation is secured, the fresh air being fed as above described to the lower portion of the interior of the inner casing rises and the foul air collecting at the top of the device is expelled thro-ugh the tubes 24.- and .25.

In operating my device the propeller 12X is first operated to carry the lifting buoy to the required depth. This propeller is then thrown out of driving connection and the propeller 19 operated to drive the device against the sides of the vessel to be raised which is indicated by the line A-B. The piston 158 in the cylinder 15 is then operated so as to draw the water out of the cylinders 4 and .5 producing a vacuum therein and thereby carrying the pads 6 into close contact with the side of the vessel, the prong 7 acting as a fulcru-m point to draw the lower part of `the lifting buoy into the proper position. When this is accomplished the pist-on 184 is operated to fill the space formed at the upper portion of the lifting buoy between the outer and inner casings full of air thus rendering the device buoyant and producing a lifting power which will carry the submerged vessel to the surface. Itl will be understood that the number of lifting buoys required to lift the vessel Will be regulated by the size of the vessel to be lifted.

26 indicate port holes by which the operator can see the location of the lifting buoy in relation tothe submerged vessel.

From this description it Will be seen that I have devised a very simple device for lifting sunken Vessels which may be readily directed by the operator located in the interior of the lifting buoy against the side of the sunken vessel and in which means are provided whereby such operator can attach the device to the vessel and thus render the lifting buoy buoyant in order to lift the sunken vessel to the surface of the Water.

What I claim as my invention is.

1. A lifting buoy comprising a casing, a pair of horizontally extending cylindrical members carried by the lower portion of the casing, a suction pad carried by the cylinder and having suction orices communicating with the interior of the cylinder, and means for exhausting the Water from the interior of the cylinder to produce a vacuum therein.

2. A lifting buoy comprising a casing hav ing aseginental spherical upper portion and a tapering lower portion, horizontally disposed parallel cylinders carried by the lower portion, a suction pad carried by the end of each cylinder having orices extending through the pad and communicating with the interior of the cylinder, a suction pump located Within the casing of thebuoy,.tubes extending from the suction pump to the in` terior ofy each cylinder, a discharge tube extending from the suction pump through the Walls of the casing of the buoy, non-return valves in such tubes, and means located Within the interior of the buoy for operating the suction pump.

JOHN PERCIVAL BURTGN.

Witnesses:

M. EGAN, B.l BOYD.

Copies of this patent may be obtained for ve cents each, by addressing the C ommissioner` of Patents.

Washington, D. C. 

